Page 4 of Snap Shot

Mom:Christ, Lane.

Delaney:Off to wash my eyes with ammonia. Goodbye.

Dad:Sure, sweetie. Stay safe. Love you.

Mom:What is wrong with you? Are you on drugs?

Dad:Marijuana is legal now.

Mom:I have no words for you.

Mom:Landon?? Honey. We love you. Text back, answer the phone. Something to let us know you're okay.

Reading the messages was a mistake. My head spins. I squeeze my eyes shut to make it stop. When we screech to a stop at the curb, I double over to put my head between my knees, trying not to blackout.

Cooke swings open the door, the stuffy summer air whooshing in to replace the cool temperature within the car.

Getting into the building should be simple enough. But I straighten too quickly. Or maybe it's the shock, incessant screaming, constant flashes, and horde of paparazzi between us and the double doors. My stomach lurches. Acid bubbles up. There's no stopping it.

This time the gag is real. “Bleh-bleheurg—” I don't make it out of the backseat before half-digested remnants of chicken carbonara—damn those pre-game meals—purge forward, ruining Cooke's polished Oxfords with a dramatic, projectilesplat.

Chapter 2: Two Hands and a Box of Toys

Indi

“Ready?”

Gabe moves our pint glasses to the side and steadies her elbows on the wood surface. Across the table, Bea squeals, mirroring my best friend's position. I lean into the thick edge.

“One…”

Sheena whines. “Do we have to? I don'twannnnna—”

“Oh, unclench that sphincter, Mrs. Goody-Two-Shoes,” I say, nudging her in the ribs. A small burp escapes through the corner of my mouth. “It's tighter than those ties Akhil uses on—”

Whoops. That's the beer talking.

“Shhhhh!” Sheena's whole face scrunches with her shush. “Indi!”

The girls burst into sputtered laughter. My oldest friend is smiling, though, so she can't be too mad. It's not like I announced she enjoys being choked. Which she does.

“This isveryout-of-character for someone wholikesbeing told what to do.”

Gabe snorts, covering her mouth to prevent a spit-take. Sheena smacks me in the arm for the comment. I'm tipsier than I thought.

Bea slams her hand on the table three times, rattling the remaining peanuts in our basket. “Enough! Let's do this.”

“Okay, okay!” Sheena brings her arms up to join us.

Gabe counts down again. “One…two…three!”

Bea and Sheena scream as we push the empty peanut shells off the tabletop, reuniting them with their fallen brethren discarded by those who used this booth before us. They drop to the floor in a crackling wave, sending us into a fit of giggles. We're easily amused. Or drunk. Probably both.

“I can't believe this is a thing.”

“Don't look at us, Sheen. It'syourcity.” Uh oh. Gabe's poking the bear.

“Excuseme! Chicago isnotmy city.” Sheena flips her long, straightened hair over a shoulder, revealing a cute, shirred top with puffy sleeves and a delicate floral print only she could pull off. Inappropriate for tonight's plans, but very Sheena. Very cottage-core. “I'm fromMississauga. I've only lived here a year!” She holds up a sole finger. “We wouldn't have moved if Akhil didn't get the ortho residency at Rush.”

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